Authorities still searching for gun used in Copper Top shooting

Monday

Aug 13, 2012 at 1:59 PM

Authorities are still searching for the gun used in a mass shooting last month. Nathan Van Wilkins is accused of shooting an assault-type rifle and injuring a man in Northport before opening fire and injuring 18 others at the Copper Top bar in Temerson Square. An additional victim who did not go to the hospital following the July 17 shooting was added to the count.

By Stephanie TaylorStaff Writer

By Stephanie TaylorStaff Writer

Authorities are still searching for the gun used in a mass shooting in Temerson Square last month.Nathan Van Wilkins is accused of firing an assault-type rifle and injuring a man in Northport on the night of July 16 before opening fire and injuring 18 others at the Copper Top bar in Temerson Square in the wee hours of July 17. An additional victim who did not go to the hospital after the July 17 shooting was added to the count.Anyone with information about the gun is being asked to call the Tuscaloosa County Metro Homicide Unit, Tuscaloosa County District Attorney Tommy Smith said.“Anyone who provides such information would be treated as a witness,” Smith said in a prepared statement. “On the other hand, anyone who conceals any evidence, especially the weapons, would be hiding evidence and would be treated as a defendant and charged with appropriate criminal charges including obstruction of governmental operation, tampering with evidence and any other appropriate charges.”Wilkins, 44, faces 68 charges in relation to the events of July 16 and 17.Police charged him with 18 counts of attempted murder and two counts of shooting into an occupied dwelling after he turned himself in to authorities in Jasper on the morning of July 17. A grand jury heard the evidence and returned the 68-count indictment Thursday. Wilkins is accused of harming 19 people. The grand jury charged him with 19 counts of attempted murder and 19 counts of first-degree assault. He was also charged with 17 counts of second-degree assault. In addition to those charges relating to the 19 victims, he faces two counts of second-degree arson, four counts of first-degree criminal mischief and three counts of attempted first-degree criminal mischief. Wilkins is suspected of setting a fire at a former co-worker’s home in Northport before the shootings and setting fire to some trucks and a building at Capstone Oil in Brookwood after the shootings. He was fired from Capstone Oil in March.